Optimization of Cooling Utility System with Continuous Self-Learning Performance Models

Ron-Hendrik Peesel, Florian Schlosser, Henning Meschede, Heiko Dunkelberg and Timothy G. Walmsley
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Ron-Hendrik Peesel: Department for Sustainable Products and Processes (upp), University of Kassel, 34125 Kassel, Germany
Florian Schlosser: Department for Sustainable Products and Processes (upp), University of Kassel, 34125 Kassel, Germany
Henning Meschede: Department for Sustainable Products and Processes (upp), University of Kassel, 34125 Kassel, Germany
Heiko Dunkelberg: Department for Sustainable Products and Processes (upp), University of Kassel, 34125 Kassel, Germany
Timothy G. Walmsley: Sustainable Process Integration Laboratory—SPIL, NETME Centre, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology—VUT Brno, Technická 2896/2, 616 69 Brno, Czech Republic

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: Prerequisite for an efficient cooling energy system is the knowledge and optimal combination of different operating conditions of individual compression and free cooling chillers. The performance of cooling systems depends on their part-load performance and their condensing temperature, which are often not continuously measured. Recorded energy data remain unused, and manufacturers’ data differ from the real performance. For this purpose, manufacturer and real data are combined and continuously adapted to form part-load chiller models. This study applied a predictive optimization algorithm to calculate the optimal operating conditions of multiple chillers. A sprinkler tank offers the opportunity to store cold-water for later utilization. This potential is used to show the load shifting potential of the cooling system by using a variable electricity price as an input variable to the optimization. The set points from the optimization have been continuously adjusted throughout a dynamic simulation. A case study of a plastic processing company evaluates different scenarios against the status quo. Applying an optimal chiller sequencing and charging strategy of a sprinkler tank leads to electrical energy savings of up to 43%. Purchasing electricity on the EPEX SPOT market leads to additional costs savings of up to 17%. The total energy savings highly depend on the weather conditions and the prediction horizon.

Keywords: cooling system; mathematical optimization; machine learning; flexible control technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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